Man pleads guilty to making terrorist threat to University Hospital

A man pleaded guilty Tuesday to making a terrorist threat to University Hospital.

The University of Missouri Police Department said its officers arrested 51-year-old Ruben Espinosa back in October. MUPD said MU Health Care officials reported the threat on October 6 after University Hospital got a threatening phone call.

Espinosa admitted to leaving a voicemail at University Hospital threatening to shoot people there if they didn’t give him his medication.

The MU Health System sent an email to employees that afternoon alerting them to enhanced security measures in system facilities.

The email read, “Dear Colleagues, MU Health has implemented enhanced security measures in all our facilities. If you see anything suspicious, please call the emergency number for your facility.”

ABC 17 News reached out to MU Health Spokeswoman Teresa Snow, who could not comment on why security was increased, but said employees were directed to emergency contacts in their building, and reminded them if they saw anything, to contact their supervisor.

Snow also said access to buildings was not restricted.

MUPD said they contacted Espinosa at his home, where he agreed to come to the police department and speak with officers. While at MUPD, police arrested Espinosa.

In court Tuesday, Espinosa told the judge he’s on anti depressants and mood stabilizers. His lawyer recommended he get mental health treatment as part of sentence.

The judge gave him a “release on recognizance” bond until his sentencing on February 22. Espinosa will also need to get psychiatric help as part of his release.

The maximum punishment Espinosa faces for the threat is four years in prison.